Extra lights on the town square and waterfront and a drone show help Woodstock kick off Christmas 2024
The Festival of Lights delivered a bright start to Christmas 2024.
The annual Greater Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Christmas kickoff on Friday evening, Nov. 22, shone brightly on and above Woodstock’s town square and waterfront and on the faces of those who gathered for the festive gathering.
Additional lights provided by the Downtown Woodstock BIA cut through the dark, cloudy evening with colour and brilliance, drawing positive comments from the hundreds of spectators taking in the event.
Town staff and council members taking in the chamber-sponsored event credited the Downtown Woodstock BIA and advisor Trina MacDonald for securing grants to make the enhanced Christmas lighting possible.
As Woodstock Tourism Director Tobi Pirie explained to the council last month, the BIA supplied the new lights installed by the town’s public works crews. The town will take over the installation and maintenance of the lights in the future.
Greater Woodstock Chamber Vice President Margie McGuire stressed the partnership before flipping the switch of the 2024 official tree lighting shortly after 7 p.m
“Everything came together tonight as a cooperation between the Woodstock chamber, public ‘works and Downtown Woodstock BIA,” she said.
Even Mother Nature co-operated to make the Festival of Lights a resounding success. The steady rain throughout the day disappeared between 6 and 9 p.m., allowing families to celebrate comfortably.
The earlier rains, however, forced a slight delay in the Festival of Lights’ inaugural Drone Light Show above the downtown waterfront. Still, the excited crowd waited patiently for the show, which lit up the skies with Christmas images shortly after 8 p.m.
The Christmas kickoff celebration offered families plenty of options as they waited. A long line stretched along the waterfront boardwalk as children waited patiently to provide Santa Claus with their Christmas wish list.
Members of the chamber and their families offered hot drinks next to the boardwalk.
Many families crossed the bridge to shop at the Christmas at the College Market at NBCC Woodstock.
Long lines gathered at the recently renamed Fidelio Cafe, next to the town square, to enjoy its many coffee and hot beverage options while enjoying live music courtesy of Peter Brennan and Lise-Anne Grant.
Retailers throughout Woodstock shared the holiday spirit, staying open late and offering special prices during the Christmas kickoff.
Friday’s Festival of Lights celebration began with the long-running tradition of the Special Olympian Torchlight Parade. Members of the Woodstock Police Force led the Special Olympians and their support team down Main Street to King Street to officially begin the night’s celebration.
